Oakland Raiders Mock Draft v.9: BIG SURPRISE!

With two weeks left to the NFL Draft (which you all should watch on NFL Network, not BSPN), things surrounding the Raiders are heating up. With the lack of McNabb to Oakland, and the fact that another OT will be taken before before the Raiders, the latest rumor is Jimmy Clausen to Oakland. Another speculation is Haynesworth for Asomugha as a trade. I would want Washington's fourth rounder and a second next year, as Aso is coming off a good season, where Haynesworth is not. Finally, Raider Nation on Bleacher Report (and myself) have been hating on Bruce Campbell at #8. What about Campbell at #39? The latest projection for the "bad football player" Campbell is worth #39 if you ask me. Let's get started.

Round 1-Pick 8: Jimmy Clausen (QB Notre Dame)

I know, I know. Clausen to the Raiders? From a Raider Fan? I feel this may be the year Al Davis should reach for another position, if there was any year. We need O-Line and D-Line help, both of which are very deep in this draft, which I will prove later. The fact is

1) Gradkowski is not a long term answer
2) We do not have a #1 next year
3) Russell blows
4) We have pieces in place to be a contender, such as the 2009 Jets

Suh, McCoy, Okung, Bulaga, and maybe Trent Williams will all be gone, and that leaves us with Campbell and Dan Williams, both reaches at spot #8. Clausen is a Top 10 QB, and we need one. I like Clausen, and I didn't like Russell. I liked Quinn. I like Notre Dame QBs,and Clausen reminds me a lot of Matthew Stafford and Ben Roethlisberger. Raider Nation, we need a new QB. As for the money, Oakland could easily have a deal-in-principle until the first round of cuts, then cut Russell and officially sign Clausen.

Round 2-Pick 39: Bruce Campbell (OT Maryland)

If Campbell gets past #27 at Dallas, then he will fall to Round 2, and the thing is, the only team that would need a tackle before pick 39 in Round 2 would be Detroit. Detroit is in love with Roger Saffold of Indiana, and that would drop Campbell to Round 2, Pick 39. Bruce may have problems as a football player, but Cable will work with him, and he is for sure worth a second round pick. The pick will be Charles Brown if he falls, but I have Brown at #22 ahead of Bruce.

Round 3-Pick 70: Jamar Chaney (ILB Miss. St)

Our front 7 could be complete with Chaney. But it's not. Chaney, though, is a starting MLB available in Round 3. We could move Morrison outside, where he could have more of an impact. That big guy is all we need then. I really don't care if he can tackle, but if we get a big guy to get in the way, our LBs can make the tackle. Jamar Chaney can tackle.

Round 4-Pick 106: Cam Thomas (DT North Carolina)

For some reason, Cam Thomas's stock has been dropping. The only reason I can think of is teams have little idea if he is a Nose Tackle or a 4-3 Defensive Tackle. I think he will be a run stuffing 4-3, rather than an undersized nose tackle. Cam will be a good fit for the Raiders because he "loves gureilla warfare". And for the doubters,http://draftsite.com/nfl/index.php?draft=2010&round=5

Thomas is projected by these guys in Round 5, but I do not think we can wait that long.

Round 5-Pick 138: Ben Tate (RB Auburn)

Tate is not fast, but he is quick. Tate ripped up the SEC in an offense with no pass game hardly. Sounds like Oakland? I think we need another back to go with Bush and let McFadden do his thing. I would love Ben Tate to be that guy, and he really is a good kid.

Round 5-Pick 158: Walter Thurmond III (CB Oregon)

Thurmond is a 6 foot, athletic, top notch Pac 10 corner that the Raiders need. Nnamdi Asomugha came from the Pac 10 as well, and they are notorious for the defensive backs. Thurmond might need a year behind Chris Johnson, but he could be what Lenny Walls was to Deltha O'Neal, and what Sheldon Brown was to Asante Samuel. He could unlock Nnamdi's side of the field.

Round 7-Pick 215: John Conner (FB Kentucky)

Everyone on Bleacher Report has heard this guy name. He reminds me of Peyton Hillis and Le'Ron McClain. Late round picks who become pro bowlers. Simple Message to Him: Keep 29 behind you and make sure he doesn't go down.

Round 7-Pick 251: Shelley Smith (G Colorado St.)

Workout Warrior from a town close by of me in Colorado Springs, CO. The kid can play football though, even better than Bruce Campbell. He is unheard of, but Al Davis may take his workout warrior here and at the other lineman spot with Campbell.